Land Rover LRX
It’s set to be a white Christmas at Land Rover, as the firm gets set to unveil a vision of its future at January’s Detroit Motor Show.These are the world’s first pictures of the stunning new LRX concept car, a three-door compact off-roader that’s tipped to hit the road in 2010. Finished in pearlescent white paint, the four seater is a dramatic evolution of Land Rover’s traditional ideals. In a bold move into a new niche the newcomer will rival the forthcoming BMW X1, and Audi Q5.Smaller, lighter, and built using reclaimed and recycled materials, the LRX is intended to demonstrate the firm’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its new cars. Launched as Land Rover prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary, one of the car’s stated goals is to become one of the least polluting vehicles in its class.It should be no surprise that the model is the work of Brit Gerry McGovern, who was also behind the creation of the landmark Freelander in 1997. Described as a cross coupe, rather than an SUV, or 4x4, the LRX is slightly smaller than the new Freelander 2, but nevertheless designed to be more upmarket than its bigger brother.
Much of this is thanks to greater emphasis on leather upholstery and liberal use of the kind materials most often used in the likes of the flagship Range Rover.
Suzuki A-Star Concept
Today Suzuki has announced plans for a new production hub in India and along with expansion plans Suzuki also presents the new A-Star Concept, destined to become Suzuki's new compact global car.
The A-Star will be shown to the public at the Ninth New Delhi Auto Show in January, but we can bring you some sketches of the compact car. The car will be produced in India and exported to Europe and beyond and will be Euro 5 compliant, which leads us to believe this may just be the new Suzuki Alto which is scheduled for a Geneva debut in March.
India is an important market for Suzuki, outselling Japan in the first half of 2007, and the Murati Suzuki partnership (Indian government and Suzuki) will be capable of producing 1 million units by 2010/2011.
Renault Megane 3 Spied
Here are the first shots of the Renault Megane III confirming what we already suspected – the next generation will be based on the Renault Altica concept meaning the hideous hatchback rear styling seen on the current generation will be replaced by a more conventional style.
The new Megane will come in just about every form imaginable with the small family car to be offered in 3 & 5 door hatchback guise as well as sedan, coupe, convertible, station wagon and we may even see crossover body-styles.
Set to do battle with the Peugeot 308, Fiat Bravo and the unreleased VW Golf VI, we should see the model debut during 2008 with the Paris Motor Show being the most likely destination.
Kia Kee
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The doors have been unlocked on Kia’s Kee – and, as you can see, the striking new Korean coupé looks remarkably production-ready.
Unlike many show cars at the Frankfurt expo, it has a complete interior, with twin sports seats and a racy, flat-bottomed steering wheel. The dashboard features deep-set sports instruments and, with neat chrome trim on the centre console, the cabin is a classy but sporty place to be.
Kia says the car is very close to getting the green light for production, and all that’s left is to pick a platform. The display Kee has underpinnings from the front-wheel-drive Hyundai Coupé. But the final model could be based on Hyundai’s new rear-wheel-drive performance car – revealed in spy shots in Issue 973 – and feature a V6 engine.
Whatever happens, the Kee is expected to make its production debut towards the end of 2008.
Citroen C2 VTR Alien Car
Exterior Styling
The body and th interior painting of this Alien-like C2 was made the airbrush artist Darren Horton, who is specialized in customizing motorcycles and helmets.
The style is a mix of Sci-Fi and gothic and reminds that of H.R. Giger. This stunning airbrushed paint finish is worth £15,000.
Apart from the paintwork, the C2 by SQ Plus has also been radically modified in many details – even the filler cap has been moved. A Cituning wide arch body kit, twin Powerflow exhausts which emerge from the front bumper, 20" chrome alloys and Mr Chilli’s air bag suspension have all been added.
Interiors
Loaded with £22,000 worth of stereo equipment from sound system experts Alpine, including 20 speakers and 8 subwoofers and 11 amplifiers, the futuristic C2 by SQ Plus belts out an incredible 15,780 watts – similar to an average nightclub – guaranteeing that it’s heard before it’s seen!
Incredibly, the transmission tunnel has been cut out to provide a smoother floor and allow the fitting of an F1-style single centre seat with aircraft-style steering wheel. The door mirrors have been replaced with pod-mounted cameras transmitting to TV screens across the dashboard, while the rear view mirror is also replaced by a further camera located in the rear wiper mounting.
Phil Leach, Managing Director of Manchester based SQ Plus said: "We set out to build the most unbelievable car out there, using a model that people can both relate to and afford. It was an easy decision to go for the Citroën C2, which is without question the new Saxo and the next big thing in modifying."
Anyone thinking of buying a new C2 will be relieved to find that the original VTR, with alloy wheels, alarm, CD player, remote control central locking and ABS with EBD and EBA, is available for almost £100,000 less than the SQ Plus version, at just £10,095 including Citroën’s current cashback offer. On top of this, one year’s free insurance is available for customers aged over 21 who buy via the Company’s Elect 3 Finance scheme. Prices for the rest of the range start at under £6,500.
Rolls-Royce Phantom Tungsten
The Rolls-Royce Phantom Tungsten is featured in the Bespoke Collection. The bonnet has a dramatic brushed aluminium finish, which contrasts elegantly with the bodywork, painted in Darkest Tungsten - a colour never used before on a production Rolls-Royce.
New 21-inch forged aluminium wheels and visible exhaust tail pipes lend a particularly purposeful air to this special Phantom. On the inside is a unique interior lighting system, featuring a Starlight Headlining, which comprises several hundred fibre-optic lights embedded into perforated black leather, giving the impression of a star-filled night sky. Smoke Grey leather seats with contrasting Navy Blue piping complement the rich rosewood veneers and tooled metal steering wheel spokes.
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